Two Teens Shot At Galleria Still Recovering, One Remains In ICU

HOOVER, AL - The Thanksgiving night shooting at the Riverchase Galleria has become a national story, as 21-year-old EJ Bradford was shot and killed by a Hoover police officer during an incident at the mall. Two other victims, 18-year-old Brian Wilson and 12-year-old Molly Davis are still recovering at local hospitals. Wilson is a friend of Bradford's and was at the mall shopping with him when the altercation with two other people broke out.

A report by Alabama Media Group said Wilson is "heartbroken over the death of his friend" and his family's attorney, John Robbins, said Wilson is still in ICU and is surrounded by family, including his father and his uncle who are with him around the clock. Wilson is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another week.

Davis is now home with family, according to her mother. Julia Moore Bennett posted on social media that her daughter has a fractured rib, but the bullet missed her spine. "I am once again overwhelmed at the kindness of others. I have received so many sweet comments and messages," she said. "Friends as well as strangers are offering to help in so many ways that I never would have expected."

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The incident has rocked the community, as protests in Hoover have been organized the last two nights - Monday night at the Hoover Police Department and at the Galleria, and Tuesday night in front of Mayor Frank Brocato's home - as people look for answers to the death of Bradford.

Bradford and Wilson were involved in an altercation at the mall while Christmas shopping, and the altercation led to shots being fired. When the Hoover police officer arrived at the scene, he reportedly shot Bradford, who was holding a gun. Initial reports said Bradford was the shooter, but that was determined through the investigation to be false.

The attorney for Wilson said he cannot comment on what Wilson may have told him about what happened that night, but said Wilson is “not yet up to being fully debriefed’’ by investigators. Robbins did say, “We know the police are working hard to find the people they’re looking for.”

Robbins said the Wilson family hopes that this tragic event will lead to real, open and honest dialogue not only between the African-American community and the police, but also the entire community must be involved in this discussion.

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch